Energy sector gives to Obama

Energy industry bigwigs have spent the past three-plus years talking trash about President Barack Obama’s policies, but that’s not stopping their executives and employees from filling his campaign war chest.

Workers from some of the country’s largest oil, gas and electric utility companies — including ExxonMobil, BP and Exelon — have given $772,000 to Obama’s campaign through mid-April, according to donation data for this election cycle compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

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The significant amount of cash from the oil and gas industry somewhat counters the Republican rhetoric about the administration’s record, specifically on EPA regulations and oil and gas drilling.

Of course, Obama’s energy and natural-resources industry haul is less than half the $1.8 million that Mitt Romney has raked in during the same time period.

It also doesn’t include the outside group attack ads against Obama from the likes of Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity or the fundraiser last Wednesday at the Oklahoma City home of oil executive Harold Hamm, the Republican nominee’s top energy campaign adviser.

Energy-minded donors whom POLITICO spoke with gave differing reasons for supporting Obama. Several said they are die-hard Democrats who welcome his first-term emphasis on clean energy and green jobs. Others cited his embrace of the Republicans’ “all of the above” energy message, saying it helped soothe their concerns that his administration would be an excessive regulator if elected for another four years.

Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers and his wife, Mary Anne, have given $10,000 to the Obama campaign.

“My bet is the difference between what Romney would do and what President Obama would do would not be great, because I think President Obama has been moderate in his approach to energy issues,” Rogers said in an interview.

More than others in the energy industry, Rogers has skin in the game for Obama. He was among the most outspoken power company executives pushing for cap-and-trade legislation, and he doesn’t object to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent release of greenhouse gas rules for power plants.

“I look at his record since he’s been in office, and I think he’s done a good job of ‘all of the above,’ keeping them all in,” Rogers said. “You know, like all things in life, it’s not perfect.”

Beyond the $10,000 donation, Rogers has value as the co-chairman of the Democratic National Convention Committee, where he can spread the Obama energy message in his frequent trips to Democratic donor hot spots such as Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. He has also kicked in the maximum $100,000 individual donation toward the Charlotte convention.

Employees from oil and gas companies have also been helpful to Obama this cycle, including Exxon ($16,394), BP ($12,150), Chevron ($11,750), Bonanza ($10,962), Rudman Partnership ($10,000), Royal Dutch Shell ($9,552) and Hess ($3,712).